Augmented reality lighting effects

ABSTRACT

The present invention embraces a system, device, and method for adding lighting effects to augmented reality (AR) content (i.e., virtual objects). Light sensors in an augmented reality (AR) system monitor an environment&#39;s lighting conditions to acquire lighting data that can be used to create (or update) virtual light sources. Depth sensors in the AR system sense the environment to acquire mapping data that can be used to create a 3D model of the environment while tracking the system&#39;s location within the environment. Algorithms running on a processor may then add the virtual light sources to the 3D model of the environment so that, when AR content is created, lighting effects corresponding to the virtual light sources can be added. The resulting AR content with virtual lighting effects appear more realistic to a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/174,875 for a System for Controlling Lighting in an Augmented Reality Environment filed Jun. 12, 2015. The present application also claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/198,393 for Augmented Reality Lighting Effects filed Jul. 29, 2015. Each of the foregoing patent applications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to augmented reality (AR) and more specifically, to a system for generating AR content with computer-generated lighting effects.

BACKGROUND

The use of AR devices is becoming more prevalent. These devices are typically worn on a user's head and are used to display information that augments the user's visual experience. When used in the workplace, a worker may use this information to analyze/understand their environment, leading to enhanced productivity and effectiveness.

The AR experience is created by presenting content (e.g., text, graphics, images, etc.) that overlay the user's field of view (FOV). This content is typically positioned so that it lends context to things (e.g., objects, people, etc.) within the user's immediate environment.

Lighting (e.g., light levels, shading, color, etc.) within a user's field of view (FOV) may change dramatically as the user moves. When AR content is displayed without regard to changes in lighting, it tends to look artificial, distracting, or worse, may become obscured. Therefore, a need exists for AR content that changes in appearance as the lighting in the user's environment changes.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces an augmented reality (AR) system. The system includes a display to present AR content so that it overlaps with the AR system's perspective view of an environment. The system also includes one or more light sensors. The light sensors gather light data from light sources in the environment. The AR system also includes one or more depth sensors. The depth sensors gather mapping data of physical objects and light sources in the environment. Data from the one or more light sensors and the one or more depth sensors are fed to a computing device, included as part of the AR system. The computing device includes a processor that, when configured by software, can add lighting effects to AR content. To achieve this rendering, the software constructs a three-dimensional (3D) model of the environment using the mapping data. The software detects and characterizes the light sources in the environment using the light data. Virtual light sources are then created and added to the 3D model. The virtual light sources are used to add lighting effects to created AR content. The resulting AR content with lighting effects is then transmitted to the AR system's display for display to a user.

In an exemplary embodiment of the AR system, the lighting effects correspond to the environment's ambient light level.

In another exemplary embodiment of the AR system, the lighting effects correspond to the characteristics of the virtual light sources, as well as the position/orientation of the virtual light sources with respect to the AR content. In one possible embodiment, the characteristics of the virtual light sources include the direction of radiation. In another possible embodiment, the characteristics of the virtual light sources include light color. In still another possible embodiment, the characteristics of the virtual light sources include light intensity.

In another exemplary embodiment of the AR system, the AR content includes a graphical 3D object.

In another exemplary embodiment of the AR system, the at least one light sensor includes a charge-coupled device (CCD), and in one possible embodiment the detection of light sources includes comparing the CCD's pixel values to a threshold level.

In another exemplary embodiment of the AR system, the at least one depth sensor includes an optical 3D scanner.

In another exemplary embodiment of the AR system, the display includes a transparent plate that is positioned in front of the user's eye or eyes to allow a user to view the environment through the transparent plate. The transparent plate is arranged to display AR content to the user's eye (or eyes) so that the AR content appears superimposed on the user's view of the environment.

In another exemplary embodiment of the AR system, the display includes a liquid crystal display (LCD).

In another exemplary embodiment, the adding of virtual light sources to the 3D model of the environment is facilitated by simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) techniques.

In another aspect, the present invention embraces a method for applying lighting effects to virtual objects for an augmented reality (AR) system. The method begins with the step of receiving lighting information and position information from at least one light sensor and at least one depth sensor respectively. Next, lighting effects are determined from the lighting information and the position information, and the lighting effects are applied to the virtual objects. The lighting effects are then updated if either the position information changes or the lighting information changes.

In an exemplary embodiment of the method for applying lighting effects to virtual objects for an AR system, the AR system includes a head mounted display (HMD).

In another exemplary embodiment of the method for applying lighting effects to virtual objects for an AR system, the at least one light sensor includes a CCD.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method for applying lighting effects to virtual objects for an AR system, the lighting effects include coloring, shading, and/or lightening at least a portion of a virtual object.

In another aspect, the present invention embraces an augmented reality (AR) device. The device includes a light sensor to gather light data for use in constructing virtual light sources. The device also includes a depth sensor to gather mapping data for constructing a 3D model of an environment. A processor is included with the device. The processor is communicatively coupled to the light sensor and the depth sensor. Software enables the processor to construct the 3D model of the environment including the virtual light sources. The processor is further enabled to create AR content, to which light effects are added. The lighting effects correspond to the virtual light sources.

In an exemplary embodiment of the AR device, the virtual light sources include a diffuse light source, a point light source, a directional light source, a distributed light source, and/or an ambient light source.

In another exemplary embodiment of the AR device, adding lighting effects to the AR content includes changing the AR content's color, intensity, and/or shading to appear illuminated by a light source.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 graphically depicts, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a user wearing an exemplary AR device and an exemplary output of said AR device seen by the user.

FIG. 2 graphically depicts (i) an object illuminated by a light source, (ii) an AR system, and (ii) the output of the AR system including AR content with lighting effects according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a system/method for applying lighting effects to AR content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention embraces a system, method, and device for enhancing a mixed reality experience. Mixed reality refers to the merging of real and virtual (i.e., computer generated) worlds. Augmented reality lies within the spectrum of mixed reality experiences.

Augmented reality (AR) systems allow a user to view and (in some cases) interact with an enhanced version of the physical world. AR systems combine a user's perspective view of the physical world (i.e., the user's environment) with virtual objects. The virtual objects may be overlaid and positioned within the user's perspective view to provide contextually relevant information.

Virtual objects may include graphics or text and may be presented in two dimensions (2D) and/or three dimensions (3D). The virtual objects (i.e., AR content) are continually updated (e.g., real time) to correspond with a user's change in perspective. As such, AR systems typically include body-worn cameras/displays (e.g., head mounted display) or hand-held cameras/displays (e.g., smartphone, tablet, etc.).

A head mounted display (HMD) may be part of an AR system. One possible HMD type is the video see-through HMD. Here, the environment is presented as a video stream to the user via a display (e.g., a liquid crystal display). Another possible HMD type is the optical see-through HMD (e.g., smart glasses), wherein the user looks through a transparent plate. The transparent plate is configured to display AR content so the AR content is overlaid with the user's perspective view of the environment.

An exemplary AR device is shown in FIG. 1. The AR device 1 is a smart glasses type HMD (e.g., MICROSOFT™ HOLOLENS™). When a user 2 wears the AR device like a pair of glasses, AR content 5 is presented to both eyes. This AR content may appear 3D resulting from the stereoscopic view and the display's ability to create “holograms” of virtual objects. The user's perspective view 3 of an environment 4 is displayed to a user with AR content 5 overlaid and positioned to help the user understand the environment 4.

The AR content 5 may change in response to movement of the AR device 1 within the environment (i.e., position). These changes typically occur in real time allowing a user to move freely while the AR content 5 updates appropriately to match changes in the user's perspective.

Tracking of the AR device's position/orientation is required to update the AR content 5 appropriately. Tracking may utilize or more sensors to determine the user's position/orientation. For example, inertial measurement sensors (e.g., gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, etc.) may facilitate tracking. In addition, tracking may also utilize depth sensors.

Depth sensing may be used to create range images of the AR system's perspective. Range images are images with pixel values corresponding to the range between the AR system and points within the AR system's field of view.

Depth sensors (i.e., range cameras) may produce these range images using one of several possible techniques (e.g., stereo triangulation, sheet of light triangulation, structured light, time of flight, interferometry, coded aperture, etc.). Structure light depth sensors, for example, illuminate an environment with a specially designed light pattern (e.g., points, checkerboard, lines, etc.). The reflected light pattern is compared to a reference pattern to obtain a range image.

AR systems may include a camera to help tracking and mapping. This camera (e.g., CCD camera, CMOS camera, etc.) is typically aligned with the perspective view of the user. The images captured by the camera may be processed by processors running algorithms (such as simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM)) to track and map. SLAM algorithms may aid in the creation of maps (i.e., models) of the environment, which include the locations of physical objects and/or light sources in the environment.

Detecting light sources for mapping may be accomplished using the camera or by using one of a variety of possible photo sensor types (e.g., photodiodes, phototransistors, etc.). For example, light levels measured by the light sensor (e.g., camera, photo sensor, etc.) may be compared to a threshold as part of a light-source detection process.

One challenge facing AR is creating virtual objects that appear real (i.e., as if they were part of the physical world). One aspect contributing to an object's realism is lighting. Physical objects are illuminated by a variety of light sources (e.g., diffuse light sources, point light sources, directional light sources, distributed light sources, ambient light source, etc.). This illumination creates lighting effects.

Lighting effects may include a change in an object's color (e.g., red light illuminates an object). Lighting effects may also include a change in an object's brightness (i.e., an object that reflects a high-intensity light may appear bright). Lighting effects may also include shadows on the object. For realism, a virtual object in a virtual environment should have the same lighting effects as a corresponding real object would have when placed in the same position in a corresponding physical environment.

As shown in FIG. 2, an object 7 illuminated by a light source 6 has lighting effects. Object surfaces closer to the light source 6 appear fully illuminated (i.e., bright), while object surfaces not facing the light source 6 are in shadow (i.e., dark). When this environment is observed using an AR device 1, the view seen by a user 3 may include a virtual object (i.e., AR content) 5. For the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the AR content includes an arrow 5 (e.g., to indicate this particular package for some operation). Here, the AR-content arrow 5 appears illuminated by a virtual light source that corresponds to the physical light source 6. Since these lighting effects match the proximate object's lighting effects, the virtual object appears more realistic.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts an AR system 9. The system includes depth sensors (e.g., 3D optical scanners) 11 for mapping objects and light sources. The system also includes light sensors (e.g., a CCD) 12 for detecting and characterizing light sources 6 in the environment. The system further includes a display (e.g., a HMD) 13 to facilitate a user's view of the environment 4, wherein the view also includes AR content 5. The depth sensors 11, light sensors 12, and display 13 are typically integrated with a HMD worn by a user.

A computing device 10 is including as part of the AR system 9. The computing device may be integrated with an HMD worn by a user. In some possible embodiments, however, the computing device 10 may be communicatively coupled to the HMD but physically separate from the HMD body. The computing device has a processor enabled by software to add lighting effects to AR content. Exemplary processors suitable for the present invention include (but are not limited to) microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), graphics processing units (GPU), digital signal processors (DSP), image processors, and multi-core processors. It is possible that the AR system uses one or more of these processors types.

The computing device 10 is configured to receive mapping data from the depth sensors 11. Algorithms running on the processor use the mapping data to construct (or update) a 3D model of the user's environment 20. The resulting 3D model includes the position of the AR system relative to the physical surfaces of objects (e.g., walls, furniture, objects, etc.).

The computing device 10 is also configured to receive light data from the light sensors 12. Algorithms running on the processor use the light data to detect and characterize the light sources 21. The results of these algorithms 21 include the position of the light sources (e.g., relative to the AR system and/or the 3D model) and lighting characteristics (e.g., color, intensity, directionality, etc.) of the light detected light sources. From this information, virtual light sources are created (or updated).

Algorithms then configure the computing device 10 to add the virtual light sources to the 3D model 22 so that, after AR content is created 23, lighting effects can be added 24. The AR content with lighting effects may then be transmitted from the computing device 10 to the display 13.

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:

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In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. 

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. An augmented reality (AR) system, comprising: a display for displaying AR content to a user, wherein the AR content is configured to be overlaid on a perspective view of an environment; a light sensor for gathering light data from a light source in the environment; a depth sensor for gathering mapping data of a physical object in the environment and the light source in the environment; and a computing device communicatively coupled to the display, the light sensor, and the depth sensor, the computing device comprising a processor that is configured to: construct a three-dimensional (3D) model of the environment using the mapping data, create AR content corresponding to the environment, add a lighting effect to the AR content that corresponds to a physical lighting effect of the physical object in the AR system's perspective view of the environment, and transmit the AR content with the lighting effect to the display, wherein the AR content is arranged on the display such that it indicates a location of the physical object in the environment.
 22. The AR system according to claim 21, wherein the lighting effect corresponds to an environment's ambient light level.
 23. The AR system according to claim 21, wherein the lighting effect corresponds to (i) a characteristic of a virtual light source added to the 3D model of the environment, wherein the virtual light source corresponds to the light source in the environment and (ii) a position and orientation of the virtual light source with respect to AR content.
 24. The AR system according to claim 23, wherein the characteristic of the virtual light source comprises a direction of radiation.
 25. The AR system according to claim 23, wherein the characteristic of the virtual light source comprises a light color.
 26. The AR system according to claim 23, wherein the characteristic of the virtual light source comprises a light intensity.
 27. The AR system according to claim 21, wherein the AR content comprises a graphical 3D object.
 28. The AR system according to claim 21, wherein the light sensor comprises a charge-coupled device (CCD), wherein the CCD comprises at least one pixel.
 29. The AR system according to claim 28, wherein a detection of light source comprises comparing a pixel value for the at least one pixel to a threshold level.
 30. The AR system according to claim 21, wherein the depth sensor is an optical 3D scanner.
 31. The AR system according to claim 21, wherein the display comprises a transparent plate that is (i) positioned in front of an eye or eyes of the user, allowing the user to view the environment through the transparent plate and is (ii) arranged to display AR content to the user such that the AR content appears superimposed on to the view of the environment.
 32. The AR system according to claim 21, wherein the display comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD).
 33. The AR system according to claim 23, wherein the virtual light source added to the 3D model of the environment is facilitated by simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM).
 34. A method comprising: receiving lighting information from at least one light sensor; receiving position information for a physical object in a physical environment from at least one depth sensor; determining lighting effects from the lighting information and the position information; applying lighting effects to a virtual object, wherein the lighting effects correspond to a physical lighting effect of the physical object; and causing the virtual object to be displayed, wherein the virtual object is configured to displayed such that it appears to be proximate to the physical object.
 35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the AR system comprises a head mounted display (HMD).
 36. The method according to claim 34, wherein the at least one light sensor is a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera.
 37. The method according to claim 34, wherein the lighting effects comprise coloring, shading, and/or lightening at least a portion of the virtual object.
 38. An augmented reality (AR) device, comprising: a sensor to gather mapping data for constructing a three-dimensional (3D) model of an environment; and a processor and a memory, the memory having computer-coded instructions therein, the computer-coded instructions configured to, in execution with the processor, cause the processor to: create AR content having an indicator and a lighting effect; determine a display location for the AR content to be displayed based on the 3D model of the environment and a location of a physical object within the environment, wherein the location is selected such that, in an instance in which the AR content is viewed by a user, the AR content appears to be proximate to the physical object in the environment; and cause the AR content to be displayed on a transparent plate in the display location.
 39. The AR device according to claim 38, wherein the processor is further configured to construct 3D model of the environment including a virtual light source, the virtual light source comprises a diffuse light source, a point light source, a directional light source, a distributed light source, and/or an ambient light source.
 40. The AR device according to claim 39, wherein the processor is further configured to add the lighting effect to the AR content that corresponds to a physical lighting effect of the physical object, and wherein the addition of the lighting effect to the AR content comprises changing at least one of a color, intensity, or a shading of the AR content to appear illuminated by the virtual light source. 